Fishing near Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Forsyth County, population 249,545.
- 3 milesto nearest lake
- 3ramps nearby
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Indy beetle, CC0 1.0
Close fishing for Winston-Salem
The 2020 Census counted 249,545 people in Winston-Salem, Forsyth County. Drive 3 miles east to reach Winston Lake, the nearest lake page. For a boat, try Kernersville Lake, 10 miles away.
The closest classed trout stream is the Dan River (29 miles).
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Lake trips out of Winston-Salem
- Winston Lake3 miles east, 16.5 acres
- Salem Lake5 miles east, 297.5 acres
- C G Hill Pond8 miles northwest
- Village Point Lake9 miles southwest, 6.1 acres
- Kernersville Lake9 miles east, 40 acres
- Lake Thom-A-Lex15 miles south, 650 acres
Species on lakes near Winston-Salem
| Species | Nearby lakes |
|---|---|
| Channel catfish | 5 |
| Bodie bass | 1 |
| Largemouth bass | 1 |
| Striped bass | 1 |
Closest rivers to Winston-Salem
- Deep River29 miles
- Dan River29 miles, Hatchery Supported
Map of fishing near Winston-Salem
- Kernersville LakeKernersville Lake, 10 miles
- Donnaha ParkYadkin River, 12 miles
- Piney BluffBelews Lake, 15 miles
Straight line distances from the Census point for Winston-Salem.
Flow near Winston-Salem
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Yadkin River At Enon, Nc | 5,530 cfs, 7.34 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:00 pm |
| Little Yadkin River At Dalton, Nc | 23 cfs, 0.62 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:15 pm |
| Reedy Fork Near Oak Ridge, Nc | 5 cfs, 3.84 ft gage height | Oct 12 5:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 12, 2026 5:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Help for Winston-Salem anglers
Tackle counters around Winston-Salem
- Great Outdoor Provision CO, 402 S Stratford Rdsporting goods store, Winston Salem, 1 mile
- Rock Outdoors Winston Salemsporting goods store, Winston Salem, 2 miles
- DICK'S Sporting Goods Winston Salemsporting goods store, Winston Salem, 3 miles
- Forsyth Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Winston Salem, 4 miles
- Academy Sports + Outdoors Winston-Salemsporting goods store, Winston-Salem, 4 miles
- Clemmons Bait and Tacklebait and tackle shop, Clemmons, 8 miles
Where NCWRC stocks near Winston-Salem
| Lake | Distance | 2026 stocking |
|---|---|---|
| Winston Lake | 3 miles | 4,500 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Salem Lake | 5 miles | 4,000 6-8 in channel catfish and 3,000 1-2 in bodie bass |
| C G Hill Pond | 8 miles | 1,200 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Village Point Lake | 9 miles | 2,400 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Kernersville Lake | 9 miles | 5,700 8-12 in channel catfish |
| Oak Hollow Lake | 16 miles | 2,000 1-2 in bodie bass |
NCWRC 2026 stocking lists.
Creel rules around Winston-Salem
| Species | Daily creel | Size | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 a day | 14 in minimum | No closed season |
| Crappie | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Sunfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Striped and Bodie bass | 4 a day | 20 in minimum | No closed season |
| White bass | 10 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Walleye | 8 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
| Rock and Roanoke bass | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Blue, channel and flathead catfish | no creel limit | no size limit | No closed season |
| Trout (undesignated waters) | 7 a day | no size limit | No closed season |
NCWRC 2026-27 inland regulations; rows chosen by the town position against I-95 and I-77.
Short drives from Winston-Salem
Home bases near Winston-Salem
- Walkertown6 miles
- Bethania7 miles
- Wallburg8 miles
- Rural Hall8 miles
County pages tied to Winston-Salem
- Forsyth Countyseat: Winston-Salem
Species around Winston-Salem, pictured
Photo: Totti, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain
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Photo: Nick Loveland, CC0 1.0
Winston-Salem fishing, asked and answered
Which lake page is nearest Winston-Salem?
Winston Lake, 3 miles east.
Which ramp serves boaters near Winston-Salem?
Kernersville Lake is closest at 10 miles.
Which pier is closest to Winston-Salem?
No pier is close.
Which tackle counter is nearest Winston-Salem?
Start at Great Outdoor Provision CO.
Do charter boats leave from Winston-Salem?
Nothing in our list for Winston-Salem.
Which county page lists Winston-Salem?
Forsyth County.
Can I catch trout near Winston-Salem?
Try the Dan River (29 miles), Hatchery Supported water.
Which river page sits nearest Winston-Salem?
The Deep River, about 29 miles.
Can a visitor to Winston-Salem buy a short license?
Short visitor licenses: $29 inland, $15 coastal, 10 days each.
Start a fishing day in Winston-Salem
Each listed spot opens to its own page.